The Leconfield

85 Leeson Road,
Upper Bonchurch,
VENTNOR,
PO38 1PU

On the south-facing side of the Isle of Wight, the picture-perfect Leconfield hotel is covered with climbing foliage. It sits above the village of Bonchurch looking out over the Channel, with inspiring views from the Seascape dining room and the conservatory. With service nicely pitched between formal and relaxed, and glass-topped tables on wicker supports, it's the setting for carefully wrought cooking that has a reassuring touch of the homely to it. A bowl of broccoli and Stilton soup delivers the right savoury, salty hit, or there may be mushrooms sautéed in smoked garlic and served on toasted brioche, followed by poached salmon in caper and lemon butter with puréed spinach, or slow-cooked leg of lamb on parsnip mash with redcurrant gravy. A rum-laced chocolate pot comes with matching ice cream and a sweet-and-sour berry compôte to make a satisfying array of flavours. Home-made breads add to the welcome sense of being looked after.